Welcome

Thank you for your interest in the images on this site. Some of the photographs here come from my own personal collection — gathered over years of research into local history. A certain number are drawn from other archives, libraries, and public sources.

Wherever an image appears, its source is noted in the caption or credit line on that page. If anything is unclear, or you'd like to know more about a specific image's origin, please ask — I'm glad to help.

Before you request

Please check the caption and credit line on the page where the image appears. It will tell you whether the image is:

  • From the author's collection — I hold the rights and can grant permission.

  • From another source (archive, library, public domain, etc.) — you may need to contact that original source as well.

If you're unsure which category an image falls into, just ask and I'll point you in the right direction.

How to cite an image from this site

When you use an image, please credit it clearly. Here is the citation format to follow:

Image © [Year] [Your Name]. From the author's personal collection. "[Title of Image]." Reproduced from ([URL]). [Date accessed].

Example:

Image © 2026 John Q. Researcher. From the author's personal collection. "Bellerose Station, c. 1920s." Reproduced from (https://bretemurphy.com/imagelink). Accessed August 28, 2026.

How to request permission

To request permission to reuse an image, please send an email using the template below. Completing it helps me keep a clear record of how images are being used.

Email subject: Image Use Request — [Your Name/Organization]

Dear [Your Name],

I'm writing to request permission to use the image "[Title of Image]" from your website [Your Website Name] ([URL]).

Image URL: [Paste the full web address of the page where the image appears]

Intended use: [Describe how and where the image will appear — e.g., a book, article, presentation, website, social media]

Usage type: [Commercial or Non-commercial]

Format: [Print, digital, or both]

Distribution/audience: [Approximate reach or audience size]

Duration of use: [One-time, ongoing, or a specific date range]

Will the image be altered or cropped? [Yes/No — if yes, please describe]

I will include the credit line exactly as you provide it. Please let me know if you require any additional information, and thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

[Your Organization/Affiliation, if any]

[Your Email Address]

What happens next

I'll review your request and reply with permission terms, including the exact credit line to use. Please wait for written confirmation before publishing or distributing the image. If permission is granted, keep a copy of my reply for your records — and I'll keep mine too.

Questions?

If you have any questions about a specific image, its source, or the permission process, please contact me here with the image URL, and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.